key figures highlights - undp page/s… · unhcr and partners maintained the focus on providing...

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SERBIA

INTER-AGENCY OPERATIONAL UPDATE

May 2016

Highlights

Around 30 admissions into Hungary through transit zones in Horgoš and Kelebija

continued to create a pull factor, increasing the

number of asylum-seekers awaiting entry into Hungary (see graph no. 1). They

included many families with children, spending overnight in the open at the border

with inadequate access to shelter and sanitation

facilities. Some, however, could be encouraged by authorities, UNHCR and

partners to instead accept accommodation in the

Subotica RAP. With an estimated 300 irregular arrivals to Serbia, mainly from fYR Macedonia

but also from Bulgaria, also the number of refugees/migrants in Belgrade

grew slowly. Their presence in the city centre, however, continued to be managed by authorities admitting also undocumented foreigners to overnight in Krajaca Asylum Centre. On 31 May, the new location of Miksalište Refugee

Aid Point (RAP) was opened in 15 Gavrila Principa St., ready to assist refugees passing through Belgrade city centre, in conjuction with the Asylum Info

Centre (AIC), Info Park and many other humanitarian actors.

KEY FIGURES (APRIL 2016)

861 Registered intentions to seek asylum in

Serbia

42.2% of registered refugees and migrants

were minors

31 Applications for asylum

0

Persons granted refugee status

0

Persons granted subsidiary protection

PRIORITIES

Ensure that urgent

humanitarian and protection needs of refugees are being met

Assist the Government to

strengthen the asylum system in line with applicable international standards

Graph no. 1: Daily averages of asylum seekers waiting at the border with Hungary

Inter-Agency Operational Update - Serbia

UNHCR in Serbia – www.unhcr.rs

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UPDATE ON ACHIEVEMENTS

Operational Context

The weather remained largely mild with temperatures averaging 22 degrees, yet a number of fairly wet days made the situation challenging both for aid workers and for asylum seekers at the border with Hungary.

As at 31 May, over 1,700 refugees and migrants were present in the country, of which 448 in official reception facilities (up from 219 at the beginning of May) and around 470 in and out of Belgrade. Only Preševo Reception Centre (RC) and

Krnjača Asylum Centre (AC) maintained stable occupancy rates, with average occupancy of 40 in Preševo and average occupancy of 305 in Krnjača over the reporting period.

The number of observed daily arrivals averaged 60 per day, with up to a dozen daily arrivals to Preševo RC, while UNHCR estimated that the actual number of arrivals averaged 300 per day (of which, perhaps, 80% from FYR Macedonia and

20% from Bulgaria). Number of refugees and migrants assisted daily in Belgrade averaged 350. UNHCR and partners maintained the focus on providing food, NFIs and medical assistance to asylum seekers amassed at

the border with Hungary and met for coordination meetings, chaired by UNHCR, on a fortnightly basis in Belgrade.

Monthly MoI Asylum Statistics for May 2016 indicate that the number of registered intentions to seek asylum in Serbia was 861. 42.5% of registered intention to seek asylum were made by men and 15.3% were made by women. 42.2% of the total intentions were registered as children. The majority of the asylum intent applications were made by Afghans

(54.2%), Syrians (23.9%) and Iraqis (11.4%). During the month of May, no refugees were granted either refugee status o r subsidiary protection, while five asylum applications were rejected (concerning nationals of Iraq, Pakistan and Bosnia &

Herzegovina).

Graph no. 2: Daily occupancy by site

http://www.unhcr.rs/



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Preševo RC: Save the Children organized recreational activities, Photo©UNHCR

Achievements

Protection

Achievements and Impact

UNHCR’s implementing partner Humanitarian Centre for Integration and Tolerance (HCIT) remained present both in Subotica and on several main locations and on both border crossings – Kelebija and Horgoš, providing all refugees

and asylum seekers with much needed food, water and NFIs. HCIT also shared necessary (incl. legal) information, continued with identification of the most vulnerable refugees and referred them further to competent organizations and institutions, conducted individual interviews, filled out Protection incident reports, etc. HCIT also retained

presence at the western border with Croatia in Šid. HCIT assisted at least 2,100 persons of concern (PoC) and accommodated/transported 88 PoCs to Subotica RAP. HCIT assisted at least 65 EVIs including a man from

Afghanistan who was severely beaten while trying to illegally enter Hungary- he was taken by the HCIT team to ER in Novi Sad for medical examination, provided with antibiotics, and then transported to RAP Subotica. Four EVIs received wheelchairs and crutches (donated by International Rescue Committee - IRC).

UNICEF, in close collaboration with UNHCR, was assisting in fast-tracking and referral of vulnerable children and mothers and those with health-related issues.

IOM teams continued with information provision and counselling on assisted voluntary return (AVR) in the reception facilities. All necessary technical and logistic support was provided to migrants who expressed their willingness to return to the country of origin (CoO) - contacts with relevant embassies of CoOs, transfer of migrants

to the embassies, assistance in issuance of travel documents, travel arrangements, assistance for the movement, including transit airport assistance and assistance upon arrival to CoO. Only one migrant returned to the CoO (Lebanon) with AVR in May, while 11 migrants expressed interest to return and are still in the process of obtaining

travel documents. IOM provided information and counselling for migrants in coordination with the Serbian Commissariat for Refugees

and Migrants (SCRM) and UNHCR, and assistance with transportation of vulnerable individuals and families from northern border locations (Horgoš and Kelebija) to the Refugee Aid Point (RAP) in Subotica, as well as transportation of migrants from Subotica RAP to health facilities in Subotica as

needed. IOM was present throughout the week at the border with Hungary, with 2-3 staff members at each location, working in two shifts during the day.

In Preševo, IOM team continued to provide transportation assistance to vulnerable groups to local institutions/local service

providers like the local health centre, centre for social work, etc. Over 20 migrants were assisted.

DRC protection teams focused their activities on five main

locations: Preševo, Dimitrovgrad, Subotica, Šid and Belgrade. DRC Protection officers kept track of new arrivals, while providing psycho-social support and assistance to the refugees remaining in

Šid RAP and Preševo RC. DRC teams provided assistance in Dimitrovgrad area through

distribution of NFIs in cooperation with SCRM and Red Cross, and also provided information and psycho-social support, while following up on EVI cases with active support from the Women Protection Counsellor and Child Protection Officer.

UNICEF-supported child-friendly spaces (CFSs) continued to be operational in Preševo and Krnjača, with the Danish Refugee Council (DRC) as the implementing partner. UNICEF continued to support the Centres for Social Work in

Preševo and Belgrade to provide additional support to refugee/migrant children. DRC/UNICEF teams in Preševo CFS assisted 340 children and 84 mothers/caregivers, and 112 children and 101

mothers/caregivers at the Mother and Baby Corner (MBC). DRC/UNICEF team referred 33 children and 23




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Subotica: HCIT team member consoling a frightened boy who got temporarily separated

from his family, Photo@HCIT

mothers/caregivers to medical services and referred 3 UASCs to the Social Welfare Centre. Due to significant reductions in numbers of children and shorter length of stay of refugees in Preševo RC, previously conducted

thematic workshops were temporarily stopped. New arrivals of children to Preševo have been observed to arrive in rather poor shape, having spent several months in Greece, with instances of families arriving after having travelled on foot for up to two weeks.

DRC/UNICEF CFS in Krnjača AC provided assistance to 323 children and 74 caregivers. Thematic workshops were conducted ad hoc, almost daily, structured and semi-structured activities were adjusted to the age group, numbers

of children and their abilities. With the aim of improving the care and protection support for UASCs, UNICEF engaged in discussions with UNHCR

and relevant government departments. A one-day discussion was held with participation of directors of children’s

homes, foster care departments and Centres for Social Work. Discussions were aimed at exploring alternative options (such as placement in foster care or small groups’ homes) to the placement of UASCs in the Centre for Foreign Unaccompanied Minors. Further discussions will be held in the coming weeks.

UNICEF provided additional support to the social welfare system through the engagement of additional pro fessional staff for the Belgrade Centre for Social Work and the Belgrade Centre for Foreign Unaccompanied Minors. This

support was aimed at ensuring timely/adequate care and timely appointment of guardianship authority for UASCs.

Catholic Relief Services (CRS)/Balkan Centre for Migration (BCM)

interpreters provided translation assistance to refugees, partner organisations (Humedica, Save the Children, Atina, UNHCR, Indigo, ADRA, World Vision, DRC and UNICEF) and authorities (Police, Municipal Court

Bujanovac, Public Prosecutor in Bujanovac, Centre for Social affairs, General Hospital Vranje and Local Health Centre Preševo) in 4,316

instances, in Belgrade, Subotica, Šid and Preševo. With the support from TDH, NSHC provided recreational outreach

activities in Belgrade and Subotica to 857 children and 121 parents; 524

beneficiaries benefited from psychological first aid and support activities. Mercy Corps continued distribution of SIM cards to refugees transiting

through Serbia. SIM cards were distributed to vulnerable refugees and

migrants leaving Preševo camp to enable their communication while travelling (69 SIM cards).

In collaboration with UNHCR and SCRM, Mercy Corps conducted protection needs assessment of refugees residing in Preševo RC for longer

periods. The refugees named either not having means to pay smugglers or not wanting to continue illegally as

reasons for remaining in Preševo. All 11 interviewed refugees stated that they felt safe in the RC and were happy with the services provided there.

Mercy Corps team in Preševo continued to transport refugees accommodated in the RC to Preševo town centre and/or nearby towns of Bujanovac and Vranje, and will continue this support, including with increased capacity, as needed.

In partnership with SOS Children’s Villages, Mercy Corps continued to provide Internet connection in SCRM premises in Šid and Preševo, where over 3,600 people accessed Internet. The refugeeinfo.eu web platform, a joint initiative led by IRC and Mercy Corps, was constantly updated.

NRC/Praxis continued providing protection by presence, as well as information to refugees/asylum seekers at various locations in Belgrade 24/7. Over 4,600 refugees and migrants were assisted. Requested Information related

mainly to the present situation, asylum in Serbia, AVR, available services (food, NFIs, accommodation, etc.). Field staff accompanied asylum seekers to register at the Police Station in Savska St. and assisted with translation. NRC/Praxis identified vulnerable refugees and referred them to other organizations/institutions for more targeted

assistance. NRC/Praxis assisted refugees and asylum seekers in reaching Krnjača, either by accompanying them to the AC by public transportation or covering costs of transportation for vulnerable individuals, especially later in the evening/at night when there was no organised transportation.

Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) provided psychosocial support to refugees daily at the parks area near the bus station in Belgrade.




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SOS Children’s Villages had Two Mobile Teams who travelled to various locations where refugees could be found (Belgrade centre, Krnjača, Šid, Subotica).

SOS CV Family Room in Preševo was set up in the beginning of May and provided safe, warm and clean space for children/adolescents and mothers, a place to relax in and get support from educators, psychological support and recreational activities. 107 activities were organized for 456 children (with some double-counting).

SOS CV IT spot in RAP Adaševci (charger units and Wi-Fi internet) had 180 Wi-Fi connections and charging stations provided electricity for 230 users. Wi Fi spot in Šid, at the Train Station provided for 1,950 connections to

www.refugeeinfo.eu webpage with up-to-date information in 4 languages provided in cooperation with Mercy Corps.

SOS CV IT spot in Preševo RC provided for 810 connections and charging stations were used by 650 users.

Mobile Child Safeguarding Units, ran by Save the Children (SC) and Centre for Youth Integration in Preševo, were acting inside the RC, organizing recreational and educational workshops and providing basic psychosocial support daily. With children who were staying in RC for a longer period of time, the team was making dolls from balloons

and flour, conducted workshops in maths and English, sports and other creative workshops. With children in transit, the team worked on activities such as drawing and origami workshops, playing board games, making network of

friends and playing sports. 217 children and 257 adults were assisted, and 284 beneficiaries were referred to other services.

Due to closure of Miksalište, Asylum Info Centre (AIC) was really crowded during month of May. SC staff used its

resources in answering the needs of refugees and migrants, in cooperation with other organizations working inside AIC. Through the Drop-in Center at AIC, SC assisted 781 children and 1,143 parents/caregivers. Through MBC at the AIC, SC assisted 390 mothers and 143 children. CFS team from Miksalište worked as a mobile team in May in parks

next to the train and bus station in Belgrade, and assisted 560 children.

Identified Needs and Remaining Gaps

AIC reported of a major increase in numbers of UASCs detected in Belgrade (Jan 19, Feb 15, March 53, April 69 and 142 in May). AIC aims to refer these children to relevant authorities, yet they often fall prey to smugglers.

Late evening/night refugee arrivals continued to be observed in Belgrade, and the need for an additional shuttle bus

to Krnjača AC remained. UNHCR was following up with partners and authorities in an attempt to secure an additional shuttle departure or another shuttle bus on stand-by to operate on a needs basis.

A group of refugees reported being denied registration at Savska St. police station. Smuggling and trafficking continue to present a major protection concern, as most refugees and migrants arriving in

Belgrade continue their onward journey with the assistance of smugglers, who offer their services openly in the city

centre. While it has been agreed among protection actors, including the Centre for Social Welfare, that allowing UASCs to

travel within a group formed en route to destination countries may be more in the interest of the child/children, than taking them into the care of the Serbian state, closer monitoring is needed, especially by mandated bodies who are authorised to intervene when appropriate, since many UASCs encountered nowadays appear not to have

families waiting for them at their final destination, do not know their destination, and claim “guardians” of groups (often an older child, or a young man) who may be potentially involved in smuggling/trafficking.

Education


In cooperation with the Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development, UNICEF was designing education interventions and implementation plans, in order to meet the needs of school-aged refugee children who

either became stranded in Serbia while awaiting family reunification or who sought asylum in Serbia. UNICEF prepared a number of materials to help with the integration process into the Serbian Education System, including

the Guide for Schools and Teachers on Refugee Students at Schools.


http://www.refugeeinfo.eu/



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Kelebija: Disabled asylum-seeker was provided

with a wheelchair, Photo©UNHCR

SOS CV Super Bus project organized educational, recreational and creative activities for children and young refugees in Preševo, Adaševci and Šid. Super Bus. Super Bus also distributed toys for children and NFIs including hygiene

packages for children and women in Preševo.


Access to education for longer-staying refugees-asylum seekers and migrant children still needs to be secured.

Health


Two medical teams, engaged through Primary Health Centre Preševo by DRC

(funded by UNHCR) assisted 586 refugees and migrants in Preševo. 605

refugees were assisted by the two medical teams, engaged through Primary Health Centre Zemun, in Svetonikoljski park in Belgrade. Medicines were provided by DRC/UNHCR through contracted local state pharmacies. In

cooperation with the Ministry of Health (MoH) and SCRM, UNHCR and DRC will expand existing activities by engaging additional two medical teams

through Health Centre Palilula to ensure continuous access to health care for asylum seekers and refugees accommodated in Krnjača AC.

DRC Medical Team continued to organise referral and follow-up of identified

and hospitalised EVIs Serbia-wide, in order to provide them with additional support. In cooperation with the Institute for Public Health (IPH), health promotions were regularly conducted by DRC concerned with personal

hygiene and prevention of infective diseases, as well as other related topics requested by occupants of Preševo RC.

CRS/BCM doctors and interpreters for Arabic and Farsi had 118 medical interventions in Belgrade, 146 in Subotica, 6 in Šid and 442 in Preševo.

Within the DRC/UNFPA project, UNFPA mobile clinics from the Health Center

in Vranje provided medical assistance at Preševo RC - 24 women and girls were examined on site of which 6 were pregnant.


Dismal situation at border with Hungary.

Food Security and Nutrition


Red Cross started distribution of hot meals (noodle soup) on both border crossings and in RAP Subotica every day to

all refugees accommodated in the RAP. UNHCR and partners BCHR/AIC and HCIT distributed 2,091 kg of high-energy biscuits and 15,359 litres of bottled

water. UNICEF, together with UNHCR and HCIT, was providing supplies, including age-appropriate food and NFIs in Horgoš

and Kelebija. Based on needs assessment, mothers were receiving IYCF counselling on exclusive breastfeeding, the




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Subotica: Distribution of aid to refugees arriving at bus station, Photo©HCIT

Preševo RC: An Afghan girl enjoying cocoa

milk 3 hours upon arrival to with her

family, Photo©UNHCR

importance of the use of complementary food and on safe use of breastmilk substitutes for babies that are not breastfed.

UNICEF organised the distribution of infant and young child feeding (IYCF) packages for the NGOs operating in Belgrade parks.

Within the UNICEF/DRC MBC in Preševo, nutrition support was provided to 65 babies, while 88 mothers received

infant and young child feeding (IYCF) counselling. UNICEF was providing advice and technical assistance to SCRM, the Red Cross, Save the Children and other partners who were distributing food, on standards for optimal food

baskets for infants and young children. UNICEF was working with the Institute of Public Health on

preparation of new recommendations for food baskets that

would include children up to 5 years of age (to receive hot meals and more diverse food).

Caritas was providing hot meals in Preševo RC: breakfast for all

the refugees present and 50% of the lunch, in cooperation with Life Aid organization (1,500 cooked meals were provided in

Preševo, 3,450 breakfast pastries, 3,400 bottles of chocolate milk and 3,000 bottles of yogurt). Caritas was also distributing hot tea from its container at Preševo RC (5,090 tea cups were

handed out). Caritas provided SCRM in Preševo with 10,400

portions of sardines and 3,838 bottles of water. In Belgrade (Krnjača AC), Caritas provided 1,500 bottles of water, and in Šid

385 breakfast portions. NRC/Praxis continued food distribution and procured additional high energy dry food packages; more than 800

refugees were assisted. Over 1,000 packages will be distributed directly in the field in Belgrade at night time when

other actors are not carrying out any distributions. In cooperation with Info Park, JRS provided and delivered hot soup and other food

items for refugees at the bus station park in Belgrade.

Divac Foundation team was distributing food in Subotica and Kelebija. With support from CRS, Divac distributed 1,297 food parcels. Divac team also organized

food distributions in Miksalište. Philanthropy continued with distribution of fruit, yogurt and hot meals for dinner

for all people in Preševo RC. Philanthropy also provided hot meals for all people in

Šid area for lunch and dinner. SOS CV provided 2,734 food items (milk, biscuits, etc.) in the north and west of

the country.

In cooperation with the CSO Life Aid, SOS CV distributed hot meals/soup in Preševo. Total number of FI distributed was 3,107, including warm meals, water

and chocolate milk. CARE/NSHC distributed 73 food packages in Šid RAP (17 packages distributed to

women, 56 to men).

CARE/NSHC distributed 9,019 food packages in Miksalište, Belgrade and Subotica (2,163 for women, 6,856 to men).

CARE/NSHC distributed 970 baby food jars in Miksalište, Belgrade and Subotica (432 to baby girls, 538 to baby boys).

CARE/Nexus distributed 733 (215 to women, 518 to men) food packages/kits for invisible refugees in Preševo.


There was a need for continuous provision of hot meals and other basic assistance in Belgrade city centre, given that not all vulnerable persons were able to reach Krnjača AC, especially at night, and that refugees continued to gather in parks near the Belgrade bus station during the day.




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Preševo: A Syrian man residing in RC Preševo for three months, Photo©UNHCR

Water and Sanitation


CARE implemented waste management in Preševo RC and provided laundry services in Preševo RC through two washing and drying machines.

CARE provided laundry service in Sjenica AC through one washing and drying machine, and finalized reconstruction

of toilets in Principovac RAP, as well as building of sanitary block/toilets and showers in Adaševci RAP (22 sanitary units).

CARE was finalizing preparations to start building four public fountains in Preševo RC.

CARE reconstructed facilities of the new Miksalište II in downtown Belgrade: completely reconstructed toilets/sanitary block and roof in one of the facilities and started reconstruction of toilets, building of new showers

and laundry room in the adjoining facility.


Refugees waiting to be admitted into Hungary through the “transit zones” continued to lack access to sanitary

facilities, creating hygiene, public health and protection risks (including for refugee women and children).

Shelter and NFIs


Phase III rehabilitation works of the Tobacco factory premises, funded by

UNHCR, were progressing well under the supervision of DRC technical team.

Works on the water supply system, drainage and electricity supply in the sanitary block were completed. Works on wall paining and masonry works in the dormitories and reception premises continued. DRC realised the tender

for Phase III rehabilitation furniture supply which will enable full equipping of rehabilitated premises.

DRC commenced the rehabilitation works of the infrastructure connections and paths which will contribute to the consolidation of the terrain of the RC Preševo.

Besides the large scale of works realised in I & II rehabilitation phases of the Tobacco factory by the DRC, minor shelter repairs were ongoing (funded by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs), such as flooring of the reception

room and rehabilitation of the electricity substation. Newly installed generator and new connections will contribute to stable electrical supply in RC

Preševo. Divac Foundation finalized preparation works for reconstruction of Krnjača

AC, and is commencing reconstruction works.

UNHCR and partners Belgrade Centre for Human Rights (BCHR)/AIC and HCIT distributed 77 blankets, 1,531 bags, 1,608 hygiene kits, 74 sleeping bags, 1,311 pairs of socks, 765 pairs of footwear, 1,642 raincoats, 1,372 jackets, 392

rechargeable torches and 32 plastic sheets in Belgrade, Subotica and the northern border and in Preševo. Philanthropy distributed clothes, footwear and personal hygiene items for app 600 people in Preševo RC. With support from CRS, Philanthropy continued with cash cards distribution for the most vulnerable refugees and

migrants (281 cards for 479 people). In Belgrade and Subotica, NSHC and TDH provided 21,197 summer clothing items, footwear, and hygienic items to

5,535 beneficiaries.




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Preševo: Phase III of restoration of former Tobacco factory, Photo@UNHCR

Northern border: Refugees waited in improvised shelters without sanitary facilities to enter Hungary through “transit

zones”, Photo@UNHCR Photo@HCIT

Mercy Corps secured a limited amount of hygiene items upon request from Preševo RC, to be on stock for emergency needs of up to 2,000 people.

Within the UNICEF/DRC CFS in Preševo, 91 children were supported with hygiene items and 278 children with clothes. Within the UNICEF/DRC CFS in Krnjača, 72 children were provided with clothes.

DRC distributed 145 hygiene/dignity items within the project funded by UNFPA.

Within the ECHO funded project, DRC was distributing underwear and needed winter items in specific cases in Dimitrovgrad area.

F provided 254 baby hygiene packs and 440 adult hygiene packs in Belgrade and Šid. In Preševo and Belgrade, Caritas distributed 166 fleece jackets for adults, 500 rain jackets for adults, 3,754 socks for adults, 251 pairs of shoes for adults, 248 pairs of shoes for children and 90 sleeping bags with isomat.

Caritas donated 6,300 tooth brushes, 3,250 toothpastes, 3,290 bottles for dry disinfection of hands, 3,120 women hygiene packs, 320 baby diapers, 3,335 packs of wet wipes, 335 packs of baby powder and 355 packs of baby cream to SCRM representatives in Preševo.

NRC/Praxis distributed its remaining stock of hygiene kits to 900 refugees and procured summer NFIs (1,000 pieces each of T-shirts, trousers and trainers for men, women and children), as well ad over 1,000 hygiene kits for both

men and women. Distribution began at the end of May and was welcomed, given the lack of summer NFIs in Belgrade at the time.

NRC provided support to the new Miksalište aid point in Belgrade by renovating its new premises, including

electrical works, installation of toilets for women and men, installing the entrance stairway and connecting the premises’ two buildings to each other. NRC/Praxis also donated furniture (dining tables, chairs, office tables,

conference desk and some technical equipment).

Through its partners DRC and HCIT, UNICEF reached 2,980 children with winter and summer clothing and 80 babies received baby

hygiene items. Divac Foundation team was distributing NFIs in Subotica and

Kelebija. With support from CRS, Divac distributed 381 pairs of

shoes, 395 hygiene packages, 312 T-shirts, 266 tracksuits and 394 underwear sets.

Divac team provided

Krnjača AC with 178 pairs of shoes, 100 hygiene

packages and other NFIs. SOS CV Mobile Team for

North/West distributed

5,110 hygiene packages. SOS CV Mobile team in Preševo organized outreach activities and

distributed in total 2,162 NFIs, including hygiene packs for children and women.

CARE/NSHC distributed 3,319 hygiene packages and 600 pairs of socks in

Miksalište, Belgrade and Subotica, for men, women and babies. CARE/Nexus distributed 341 NFIs in Preševo (154 to women and 187 to

men), consisting of underwear, undershirts, T-shirts, sport shoes, sanitary

pads, diapers, baby wet wipes, etc. SC distributed NFIs in Belgrade through Drop-in Center at the AIC: hygiene

kits for mothers and babies, sleeping mats, sleeping bags, clothes etc. SC also distributed NFIs in Subotica area in partnership with HCIT.


Despite the deplorable sanitary and security situation at the border with Hungary, asylum seekers largely refused to

take shelter in Subotica RAP, fearing they would lose their place in the queue and the opportunity to enter Hungary.




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During warmer days, adequate amounts and types summer clothes were lacking in all locations.

Support to local communities


NSTR


NSTR




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Working in partnership

The internal coordination mechanism of the UN system in Serbia is the UN Refugee Theme Group (RTG), which meets every Friday under UNHCR chairmanship. The RTG coordinates the 4 sectorial working groups (WGs): a)

Refugee Protection WG (Co-chaired by the Ministry of Labour, Employment Veteran and Social Policy (hereinafter: MoL) & UNHCR), b) the WG on Shelter/NFI/WASH (Co-chaired by Serbian Commissariat for Refugees and Migration (SCRM), MoL & UNHCR), c) WG on Health/Food/Nutrition (Co-chaired by the Ministry of Health & WHO) and d) WG

on Local Community Support (Co-chaired by the Ministry of Local Self-Government & UNDP). The RTG met on 6th, 13th, 20th and 27nd of May.

The Refugee Protection Working Group (RPWG), Co-chaired by UNHCR and the MoL, met on 25th May in Belgrade.

It is the key coordination mechanism for agencies/NGOs operational in the country, as well as a source of information for donors/diplomatic missions who attend its meetings as observers. RPWG has over 150 members

and meets on a fortnightly basis. Under UNHCR lead, RPWG has given rise to three sub- working groups (SWGs) on: a) Information for Refugees, b) Child Protection and c) Non-Food Items (NFIs).

The monthly Partners’ Briefing, where UNHCR/UNRC, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and MoL/Chair of Government WG

on Mixed Migration update the diplomatic corps/donors and NGOs on the refugee/migrant situation and the response of UN agencies and their partners in the previous period, took place on 6 May in Belgrade.

On 18 May, Swedish Ambassador to Serbia H.E. Christer Asp and the UNHCR Representative hosted the diplomatic

corps for a working breakfast in Belgrade, devoted to the discussion on the new Draft Law on Asylum and Temporary Protection.

Contacts:

Ms. Indira Beganović, Reporting Officer, E-mail: [email protected], Tel: +381 (0) 63 431 886

Ms. Vera Dragović-O’Donnell, Information Management Associate, E-mail: [email protected], Tel: +381 (0) 63 343 521

Links:



mailto:[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]


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